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David Valadez wrote:
In my opinion, Katate-dori is not a grab attack but the presentation of a particular set of angles and energies. While certain energies may not be present or as prescribed because Uke does something strange, etc., those angles particular to Katate-dori are remain nevertheless. As a result, those aspects of one's tactical architecture that are meant to address the angles of Katate-dori are still viable. Having the prescribed energies of Katate-dori go missing only means that we have to be that much better in those aspects of our tactical architectures that are meant to address the geometry of the wrist grab. Without such insight, we often become over-dependent upon the presence of the prescribed energies and as a result we often come to lose the relevant geometries that are vital to our tactic's overall martial effectiveness. Tactically, this is what I am guessing is happening to Paige. This then is a prime moment to reflect greatly upon the angles of one's tactical architecture (e.g. how to bring power to one's wrist, how to use one's elbow, how to lower one's center, etc.). Attempting to generate the energies we are most likely are over-dependent upon through atemi is us wasting such a prime moment.
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I more or less agree with your evaluation of the problem, David, but there are a few other factors that I think are worth noting.
First of all, a smaller person, like all Aikidoists, should be attempting to move uke's "center" (along the angles of no support, etc., that you're referring to) with her center. A huge problem in "doing something with your center" is to make the "center" available in the hands, forearms, wrists as in this case, and so on. Unless you have trained, conditioned, strengthened the connection between the center and wrists, in this particular example we're using, you wind up not being able to get your center there and you're reduced to using smaller and weaker (in Paige's case) arms against a bigger mass with stronger arms. Bigger people (like males) usually aren't any better at getting their center out to their wrists, they just have stronger wrists, hands, etc., and fake a true connection to center with stiffened arm muscles (hey... it can be effective, though).
You can do a couple of shortcuts like sinking downward with your body and elbow, using your weight to turn your wrist in such a way that it weakens his grip, but even the shortcuts fail sometimes and they really become more "tricks" than they help you strengthen the connection from you middle to your wrist. Extending your fingers will often strengthen the forearm (and maybe *some* upper arm) so that you can convey the movement of the body through the arm.... that's the reason the fingers are often extended, BTW; ki and "ability to transmit strength" are inextricably intertwined.
The ideal "connection" between Paige and uke would be a connection from her center to his center so that she can move him along these angles of no support you're referring to. If his connection is somewhat loose to his middle, you can tighten the connection to his center with a twist that tightens/locks the joints and then apply the movement along your angles where he has no support. So probably someone like Paige (and most of us) needs to (1.) strengthen the relaxed connection of their limbs to their center and (2.) learn all they can about areas/angles of no support by doing a lot of experimenting.
FWIW
Mike